Based on the true life experiences of poet Jimmy Santiago Baca, the film focuses on step-brothers Paco and Cruz, and their bi-racial cousin Miklo. It opens in 1972, as the three are members of an East L.A. gang known as the "Vatos Locos", and the story focuses on how a violent crime and the influence of narcotics alter their lives. Miklo is incarcerated and sent to San Quentin, where he makes a "home" for himself. Cruz becomes an exceptional artist, but a heroin addiction overcomes him with tragic results. Paco becomes a cop and an enemy to his "carnal", Miklo.
At the time of the film's release, there were two soundtracks planned. One consisted of only prerecorded music featured in the film released under Disney's label, Hollywood Records. The second one was to have featured Academy Award winner Bill Conti's aggressive Latin score and was to be released by Varese Sarabande Records. While the first album, was released under the films' new title, Bound By Honor, Conti's album was immediately canceled during its'production run under the film's original title, Blood In Blood Out. The film's abrupt title change may have been one of the reasons this album was canceled. This run of the CD actually does exist, but not made available to the general public despite the fact that a more than a few copies of it have leaked out onto the market, mainly for promotional services within the film industry. This CD has the unique distinction of being one of the rarest soundtracks in existence and rarely available for sale. A listing stating "Score album on Varese Sarabande" next to the record company's logo is posted during the film's End Credits and on the back of the film's VHS, Laserdisc and DVD releases. See more »
Goofs
The sound microphone is visible in the prison scene when Miklo and guy are talking to Ryder. See more »
Quotes
Coolaide:
That's the punk from the Alley.
[Talking to Spider referring to Miklo]
Miklo Velka:
Hey Spider?
Spider:
[Spills his drink off his mouth]
Vato Loco must be a medication to come here.
Miklo Velka:
¡You cut my carnal, i'm here to jack you off, puto!
[Starts to hit the fence with a hockey stick]
See more »
Crazy Credits
"The bloody era of prison gang warfare, which characterized much of California's prison system during the decade depicted in this film, is now under control." See more »
Alternate Versions
The American Directors Cut DVD contains the following scenes:
There is an added scene between the one where Paco argues with his stepfather and the one where they get hassled by the cop. In it we see the guys driving and recalling moments in their childhood, smoking what seems to be joint and they get Miklo to do a " baby on acid face"
The scene where Cruz receives his scholarship is extended: He gives a speech and talks about his real mom who couldn't be there to see him receive his prize.
The scene where Popeye shows Miklo around is longer and contains more dialogue, including a death row inmate being escorted.
The art show scene is extended, Cruz and his buddies return high on drugs and his manager plays it off as part of the show.
There is an added scene before the one where Popeye takes his parole picture. In it Miklo and Popeye strike a deal: Miklo will erase Popeye's debt to La Onda in return Popeye will cast a vote for him in the council.
There is an added scene where Popeye stabs Smokey during a phony deal. It explains why Smokey is bleeding when he calls Paco and the blood on his shirt in the church.
After Montana is stabbed by Wallace, the prison riot sequence is longer with a cut scene containing more dialogue with the Onda council.
The final prison riot scene where Bonafide (the Black Guerilla Family leader) is murdered is more graphic where he is impaled.
I've seen this movie a couple of times and its got its good points and its bad. It's an interesting story, though generally, it perpetuates the "East L.A. gang member" stereotype. However, it also addresses something I haven't seen before in a movie of this type, and something that was perfectly illustrated (unintentionally) by some of the unfavorable reviews posted here. I'm referring to the character of Miklos, and how stereotypes within his own community about "what is Latin" contribute to the person he becomes. There have been a few reviewers here who feel that the character of Miklos was not believable as Latino, as he was "too" white looking. As I understand, that was exactly the point. He was always having to prove himself as 'more latin than thou' because of his fair skin. Somehow being 'more latin than thou' became akin to being a hardest of the hard gang member. I think that was the most compelling idea out of the movie because that sort of thing happens quite often. Many Latinos subscribe to the stereotype that "all latinos are a sort of medium brown". Forgetting that "Latino" is not a race. It refers to ethnicity. You can be of any race and still be Latino. Those who don't fit into the stereotype of appearance sometimes try to find another way to 'be more Latin', and become susceptible to other, more insidious stereotypes. I've known my fair share of blue eyed blond "Miklos" who felt compelled to prove their "Latin-ness" by being a thug. So despite what has to be a record usage of the word "ese", I found this movie a worthy viewing due to the addressing of this topic.
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I've seen this movie a couple of times and its got its good points and its bad. It's an interesting story, though generally, it perpetuates the "East L.A. gang member" stereotype. However, it also addresses something I haven't seen before in a movie of this type, and something that was perfectly illustrated (unintentionally) by some of the unfavorable reviews posted here. I'm referring to the character of Miklos, and how stereotypes within his own community about "what is Latin" contribute to the person he becomes. There have been a few reviewers here who feel that the character of Miklos was not believable as Latino, as he was "too" white looking. As I understand, that was exactly the point. He was always having to prove himself as 'more latin than thou' because of his fair skin. Somehow being 'more latin than thou' became akin to being a hardest of the hard gang member. I think that was the most compelling idea out of the movie because that sort of thing happens quite often. Many Latinos subscribe to the stereotype that "all latinos are a sort of medium brown". Forgetting that "Latino" is not a race. It refers to ethnicity. You can be of any race and still be Latino. Those who don't fit into the stereotype of appearance sometimes try to find another way to 'be more Latin', and become susceptible to other, more insidious stereotypes. I've known my fair share of blue eyed blond "Miklos" who felt compelled to prove their "Latin-ness" by being a thug. So despite what has to be a record usage of the word "ese", I found this movie a worthy viewing due to the addressing of this topic.